Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 25
यौवराज्य-प्रस्तावः
Proposal for Rāma’s Installation as Heir-Apparent
कथं नु मयि धर्मेण पृथिवीमनुशासति।भवन्तो द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति युवराजं ममात्मजम्।।2.2.25।।
kathaṃ nu mayi dharmeṇa pṛthivīm anuśāsati |
bhavanto draṣṭum icchanti yuvarājaṃ mamātmajam || 2.2.25 ||
当我依循达摩治理大地之时，你们为何还要愿见我的儿子被立为太子（yuvarāja）？
When the earth is being ruled righteously by me why indeed you intend to see my son as prince regent?
FAQs
Dharma is framed as present good governance: Daśaratha implies that succession should be justified by the kingdom’s welfare, not mere impatience. The verse invites ethical reasoning about when and why power should be transferred.
Daśaratha questions the assembly’s urgency, noting that his current rule is dharmic, and asks their rationale for installing the heir now.
Daśaratha’s self-awareness and accountability—he measures the request against the standard of dharmic administration.